Meals

As per the tour program: B=breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner

Guide

Experienced English-speaking guide French/German/Spanish/ Russian/ Chinese speaking guides are available upon request. The surcharge will be applied

Hygieneprotocol

For visiting South-East Asia it is recommended (but not mandatory) to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, and Covid-19.  Please note, to enter Vietnam you need to provide a vaccination certificate for Covid-19, in Laos and Thailand you can enter without a certificate but need to provide a negative PCR or rapid test issued no earlier than 48 hours before arrival. In Cambodia, if you do not have the vaccination certificate you will be obligated to make a test at the airport upon arrival.  Please contact our team before the trip to get the latest updates on vaccination requirements

Accommodation

List 3 stars hotels: Hanoi: Dal Vostro Hotel or similar Sapa: Local Homestay Ninh Binh: Tam Coc Rice Field or similar Halong Bay: Le Journey Cruise or similar Hoi An: Hoi An Ecolodge & Spa or similar

Transport

Private pick-up & drop-off transfer All transportation mentioned above

Others

Door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services All transportation mentioned above  Halong Bay cruise with double or twin shared cabin Accommodation with double/twin/triple shared room and breakfast (including 5% service fee and 10% VAT tax) Experienced English-speaking guides Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) All sightseeing tickets according to the itinerary Tissues and water on the coach Service charges and government tax Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service 24/7 hotline support guaranteed No extra charge after services confirmation Domestic flights (HAN-DAD)

Flights

Domestic flights (HAN-DAD) ** The cost of internal airfares is paid separately upon arrival to Realistic Asia as a local payment. The airfare fees are separated from the main tour cost because the prices of internal airfare can vary based on a number of factors, such as travel period, availability of flights, and fuel taxes. We keep it as a local payment to benefit our travelers by keeping tour costs lower and providing more flexibility during the booking process, and ensuring that travelers have a smooth and stress-free experience while on their trip.

Not included:

Insurance

Others

International flights Beverage, Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities Travel Insurance Public holiday surcharge (if any) Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec Lunar New Year (8 – 12 Feb 2024) Early check-in and Late check-out (If not mentioned) E-visa to Vietnam Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 am – 05:00 am Other services not mentioned above

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your driver, who will be waiting in the lobby, holding the signboard with your name on it. If you cannot locate your driver, please go to the Airport information counter in the middle of the Domestic and International arrival lobby (inside the terminal) and call the emergency numbers provided in the confirmation voucher for assistance. Your driver will come to meet you up and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi Orientation And Half-Day City Sightseeing (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi Orientation And Half-Day City Sightseeing (B/L)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet with the local coordinator, who will give you a briefing on the tour program and introduce the volunteering activities, in which you will participate.

Then meet your guide, who will take you through the charming sites of Hanoi. This city is famous for its ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic lakes. Stop at the old coffee shop in the Old Quarter to sip delicious Vietnamese coffee and listen to the guide’s stories about the daily life of Hanoians. Head to the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as "Uncle Ho". Explore the square and the mausoleum building from the outside and see the One Pillar Pagoda. It is a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s most iconic pagodas. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s House nearby, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Some of his belongings are on display, and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom.

Continue sightseeing by visiting the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, built in the late 11th century. This picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Then we will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the time is free for leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

NOTES

Suggested departure time: 13:30

Tour duration: 3.5 hours
Day 3 Hanoi - Travel To Sapa & Meeting The Local Community
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi - Travel To Sapa & Meeting The Local Community

After breakfast at the hotel, at 08:00 am. You depart for a scenic 5.5 hours drive to Sapa. A frontier town 350km (217 mi) northwest of Hanoi and close to the border with China, Sapa’s terraced rice fields are some of the world’s most beautiful. Upon arrival in Sapa, you enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and have some rest.

In the afternoon, you will spend time with the locals taking part in their daily routine: visit the fields and join the farming activities, you can join in cleaning up the area from the rubbish and other environmental protection activities. You also might visit the local school and join our team in renovation and improvement of the school facilities. In the evening, spend time with the locals, playing traditional folk games or just chatting to know better about culture and traditions of each other.

Overnight in Sapa
Day 4 Sapa – Helping Local Community (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sapa – Helping Local Community (B/L)

Have breakfast at the hotel and head to the village. Today you will spend time with the locals taking part in their daily routine: visit the fields and join the farming activities, you can join in cleaning up the area from the rubbish and other environmental protection activities. You also might visit the local school and join our team in renovation and improvement of the school facilities. During the da you will see the real life of Vietnamese people and have a great opportunity for a cultural exchange. Say goodbye to the people you spent the last days with, and get ready for your next adventure tomorrow.

Overnight in Sapa
Day 5 Walk To The Love Waterfall And Heaven’S Gate – Back To Hanoi (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Walk To The Love Waterfall And Heaven’S Gate – Back To Hanoi (B/L)

After breakfast at the hotel, Depart Sapa on a 30min drive to the 100m (323ft) high Love Waterfall so named after a legend telling of a fairy, that fell in love with a mountain boy, who was playing his flute in this picturesque spot. Along the way, make an optional stop at a local farm for leisurely exploration. Then we will drive uphill to Heaven’s Gate along the Tram Ton Mountain Pass for views from stunning Mount Fansipan. At 3,143m (10,312ft) above sea level, Fansipan is the highest peak in Indochina. Enjoy the view and take some photographs before you return to Sapa. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before transferring back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes:

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 09 hours

Total trekking distance: 2km (1mi)
Day 6 Hanoi - Join Our Volunteers To Renovate The Forest Park And Playground For Children (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi - Join Our Volunteers To Renovate The Forest Park And Playground For Children (B/L)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy an active day with local children at the forest park on the Red River bank. Join the volunteers in support to renovate and taking care of green space in children’s playgrounds: planting trees, watering plants, collecting garbage, decorating, etc. You also can take part in planning to build Green Space for children (planting more trees, making educational signs, seats. etc). Spend time with the community to create a safe and fun space for children.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes:

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 07 hours
Day 7 Join Blue Dragon Foundation In Farming Activities To Grow Fruits And Vegetables For Children In Need (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Join Blue Dragon Foundation In Farming Activities To Grow Fruits And Vegetables For Children In Need (B/L)

Today you will join our partner Blue Dragon in farming activities to learn more about organic agriculture in Vietnam and help grow the fruits and vegetables that will be used for the children in need. Blue Dragon is an incredible organization that supports children in crisis, during the years of operation, they contributed a significant impact on saving the victims of human trafficking, supporting hundreds of families from poverty, providing a safe place and educational opportunities for homeless children as well as the hope for a better future.

This morning we will take you to the Blue Dragon’s farm in Long Bien district, the scenic and rural part of Hanoi. Here you will see how the locals grow tropical fruits and chemical-free vegetables. Try your hands on the gardening activities: planting, watering, and harvesting fruits and vegetables, and engage with other volunteers who share the same sustainable ideas as you. The food from this farm is delivered to poor families with children, disabled children, and children in the Blue Dragon’s shelter. What is left is sold on the market to raise funds for other support for kids.

Overnight in Hanoi

Notes

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 07 hours
Day 8 Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Spend Time With Locals In Tho Ha Village & Visit Galaxy Grotto (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Spend Time With Locals In Tho Ha Village & Visit Galaxy Grotto (B/L)

Explore the scenic countryside and engage in local activities with a full-day tour of Tho Ha Village, Galaxy Grotto, and Nho Quan. Depart from Hanoi and drive for two hours to reach Tho Ha Village in Nho Quan, where you can begin a leisurely 5-15km (3-10mi) bike ride, passing by charming villages and picturesque landscapes. Continue to Dong Tam Hamlet to participate in exciting agricultural activities such as crab catching, fishing, and transplanting and watering vegetables. Return to the hamlet in time for a cooking class and lunch with a local family, where you can enjoy delicious sweet potato cakes and grilled fish. After lunch, board a rowboat at Nha Le Pier for a trip to Galaxy Grotto, a stunning 900m (2,953ft)-deep cave filled with beautiful stalactites that resemble a galaxy of stars. The Grotto is also home to a large colony of bats, which you can observe near the end of the cave. Then we will transfer you to your hotel in the scenic area of Ninh Binh province.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Notes:

Suggested departure time: 08:00

Tour duration: 07 hours (with transfer)
Day 9 Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Participation In Cleaning The Rubbish On The Bay (B/L/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Participation In Cleaning The Rubbish On The Bay (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take you to Halong Bay, the drive will take around 4 hours, including a 20-minute stop on the way. The scenery of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes, is truly an iconic image for Vietnam. An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see.

Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and activities, such as swimming and kayaking around the limestone formations (depending on each boat’s itinerary), or spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the ship sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Then you will join “Action for a Green Ha Long” to collect waste from two isolated beaches on the cusp of the bay. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight in Halong Bay
Day 10 Halong Bay - Travel To Hoi An (B/Br)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Halong Bay - Travel To Hoi An (B/Br)

The sun rises on Halong in the morning, and breakfast is served (also brunch on some boats) while the vessel cruises slowly back toward the port. Disembark and transfer to the airport, where you will take your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Hoi An
Day 11 Walking & Boat Trip In Hoi An Ancient Town - Kitchen Waste Recycling - Bioconversion Method (Red Worms) (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Walking & Boat Trip In Hoi An Ancient Town - Kitchen Waste Recycling - Bioconversion Method (Red Worms) (B/L)

In the morning, your guide will take you for a pleasant walk around the charming town of Hoi An. This World Heritage ancient town is known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and distinctive local cuisine, that give visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including the old merchant houses with a mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties, silk, and clothes.

In The afternoon, we will show you the locally sustainable way to recycle kitchen waste. Vermicompost is the process of using worms to break down organic matter into compost. The final product is very rich in nutrients, a great plant growth promoter, and helps plants resist pests and unflavored conditions. More importantly, we use worms and introduce the vermicomposting method as a sustainable method in home and community waste management. It is an especially inspirational method as it requires low resource input yet gives a lot.

You have a chance to gain more understanding of the vermicomposting method in a picture of sustainable agriculture. You will learn how to set up a vermicompost system at home or the community garden and understand the importance of the host’s project in training local people to do this for their livelihood and the environment.

Overnight in Hoi An
Day 12 Hoi An Cycling In Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hoi An Cycling In Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm (B/L)

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and taken to Vong Nhi village. You will receive the bikes and start cycling through the village, covering a distance of approximately 6 kilometers. During the cycling trip, you will get to see the breathtaking landscapes of the peaceful countryside, including the green water coconut forest, prawn and red snapper farms, and the rustic beauty of the rice fields. Upon arrival at Thanh Dong organic farm, which is a 10,000 square meter organic garden supporting ten local families, you will take a short stroll around the vegetable garden and listen to the farmers’ life-changing story since they have started using organic methods of cultivating herbs.

Afterward, you will join the farmers in gardening activities such as preparing and applying organic manure to the land, raking the ground, sowing herb seeds, and watering or picking vegetables. Then, you will leave the farm to take a basket boat ride along the Do River to The Field Restaurant. While enjoying the beautiful scenery or fishing life of local villagers on the way, you will have a short cooking class and a Vietnamese family-style lunch. Then we will transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Hoi An

NOTES

Suggested departure time: 08:00 or 14:00

Tour duration: 04 hours
Day 13 Hoi An Departure (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hoi An Departure (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home.

Trip Ends.

+10

13 days tour

Sustainable Vietnam: Community, Mountains And Nature In 13 D

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sustainable Vietnam: Community, Mountains And Nature In 13 D

Hanoi Arrival

Hanoi Orientation And Half-Day City Sightseeing (B/L)

Hanoi - Travel To Sapa & Meeting The Local Community

Sapa – Helping Local Community (B/L)

Walk To The Love Waterfall And Heaven’S Gate – Back To Hanoi (B/L)

Hanoi - Join Our Volunteers To Renovate The Forest Park And Playground For Children (B/L)

Join Blue Dragon Foundation In Farming Activities To Grow Fruits And Vegetables For Children In Need (B/L)

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Spend Time With Locals In Tho Ha Village & Visit Galaxy Grotto (B/L)

Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Participation In Cleaning The Rubbish On The Bay (B/L/D)

Halong Bay - Travel To Hoi An (B/Br)

Walking & Boat Trip In Hoi An Ancient Town - Kitchen Waste Recycling - Bioconversion Method (Red Worms) (B/L)

Hoi An Cycling In Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm (B/L)

Hoi An Departure (B)

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